Travel neck support pillow

ABSTRACT

A substantially U-shaped travel pillow includes: a first side portion comprising a first base side portion of a first base surface, a first top surface, a first inside surface and an outside surface. A second side portion with a second base side portion has a second base surface, a second top surface, a second inside surface opposed to the first inside surface and a second outside surface. A neck cushion portion is between the first side portion and the second side portion. The two side portions and the neck cushion portion are a single compressible elastic foam insert. At least the first side portion and the second side portion having at least two air passage through holes passing through the first side portion and the second side portion, the holes having average diameters of less than 5.5 cm, and sides of the holes completely between the respective inside surface and the outside surface of both the first side portion and the second side portion have foam densities similar to foam densities throughout the single compressible elastic foam insert.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to the field of travel pillows, and especially travel pillows that surround the neck and support the head of the wearer.

2. Background of the Art

Travel pillows are well known for helping people rest or sleep when in a seated or upright position. However, such prior art travel pillows suffer from common drawbacks such as being bulky, trapping heat and moisture between the pillow and the user's neck and head, and generally being unable to adequately or comfortably support the user's head.

For instance, U.S. Pat. No. 6,230,349 to Silver et al. discloses a travel pillow with some of these drawbacks. Little air is allowed to circulate between the pillow and the user's neck with this type of product, often resulting in an uncomfortably hot and sweaty neck. Further, this type of travel pillow may cause the user's head to tilt forward due to a relatively large and thick rear portion that, when contacting the seat, puts pressure on the rear of the user's neck. Finally, this traditional travel pillow shape may fail to provide adequate support for a user's head and neck when the head is in a left, right, or forward position.

Published US Patent Application Document No. 20170086607 Wong) discloses a neck pillow for supporting the head of a user comprises left, right, and rear portions so as to be generally U-shaped. The neck pillow may include an inner frame which may be made of a material more rigid and denser than an outer material of the pillow so as to provide support. The left and right portions may include a chin support or protrusion so as to increase user comfort. Pillows according to the present disclosure may also include anchor points on each side for adjustment of the degree to which a closure mechanism attached to a connector such as a drawstring can be tightened. A closure mechanism which may be attached to the drawstring portions may include internal components that can prevent or make more difficult disconnection via horizontal force, and may also include magnets for connection of the left and right sides thereof.

Published US Patent Application Document No. 20150257555 (Wong) discloses a travel pillow includes a resilient inner frame having a rear portion and two side portions, and U-shaped outer cushion fixed about the inner frame and including a rear portion and two side portions. Each side portion, and optionally the rear portions, includes at least one transverse air apertures therethrough. Each side portion of the inner frame further includes a forward end. The side portions may each include a drawstring aperture at the forward end for receiving a drawstring having two halves, each of which being fixed at a proximal end thereof at the drawstring apertures and being mutually and selectively fixable at distal ends thereof at one part of a two-part mechanical fastener. A flexible cover that has an opening therethrough into which the inner frame and the outer cushion are inserted may be included that has at least one ventilation area through which air may travel.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,031,578 (Sweeney) discloses a travel pillow is described for use with seats which provide an accommodating headrest. This pillow cushions the user's neck and head in a cavity and thus provides support against ‘head-rolling’ and the sudden ‘head-drooping’ which usually results when a traveler attempts to sleep while sitting in a generally upright position.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,285,051 (Price) discloses a portable device for recumbency of the head and neck providing support for the same while travelling or in other situations where discomfort arises from lack of adequate support. The device is provided with a surface having a generally concave shape with respect to a vertical axis of curvature corresponding approximately to the central vertebral axis of the neck. The concave shape is fashioned so that it has symmetrical left and right halves, opposing areas of which are designed to exert gentle pressure in the vicinity of the mastoid processes of the head, a region near the base of the head, and located at the sides thereof almost at the rear. There are two embodiments of the device, one a padded resilient sheet curved to provide the support surface and a second in the form of an inflatable pillow.

There is still need for additional structural improvements in pillows that can better accommodate travel needs.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A substantially U-shaped travel pillow includes:

a first side portion comprising a first base side portion comprising a first base surface, a first top surface, a first inside surface and an outside surface;

a second side portion with a second base side portion comprising a second base surface, a second top surface, a second inside surface opposed to the first inside surface and a second outside surface;

a neck cushion portion between the first side portion and the second side portion;

the first side portion, the second side portion and the neck cushion portion being a single compressible elastic foam insert; and

at least the first side portion and the second side portion each having at least two air passage through holes passing through the first side portion and the second side portion, the holes having average diameters of less than 5.5 cm, and sides of the holes completely between the respective inside surface and the outside surface of both the first side portion and the second side portion have foam densities similar to or substantially identical to foam densities throughout the single compressible elastic foam insert.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a demonstrative neck pillow evidencing various possible embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a frontal view of a demonstrative neck pillow evidencing various possible embodiments of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

A substantially U-shaped travel pillow includes:

a first side portion comprising a first base side portion comprising a first base surface, a first top surface, a first inside surface and an outside surface;

a second side portion with a second base side portion comprising a second base surface, a second top surface, a second inside surface opposed to the first inside surface and a second outside surface;

a neck cushion portion between the first side portion and the second side portion; the first side portion, the second side portion and the neck cushion portion being a single compressible elastic foam insert; and

at least the first side portion and the second side portion each having at least two air passage through holes passing through the first side portion and the second side portion, the holes having average diameters of less than 5.5 cm, and sides of the holes completely between the respective inside surface and the outside surface of both the first side portion and the second side portion have foam densities similar to or substantially identical to foam densities throughout the single compressible elastic foam insert.

The travel pillow should have no stiffening elements attached to the single compressible foam that stiffen the foam between the respective inside surface and the outside surface of both the first side portion and the second side portion, or stiffen the foam between the respective top surface and base surface of both the first side portion and the second side portion. The stiffening portions, or ribs, can be a source of irritation to users, and even accelerate breakdown of foam material in the insert by increasing internal shear adjacent to the stiffer portions. This is why the foam should be relatively similar in density (and stiffness), not differing by more than 10% in density between regions, and preferably less than 5% in density among all regions of the foam. This not only can improve “feel” for the wearer, but reduce internal shearing among different regions of the pillow insert (which may have a cover to protect against ambient contamination by perspiration, food, water, spills and the like) during use that could cause increased rates of deterioration of the foam.

The travel pillow may have an air passage passing through the neck cushion portion, and the single compressible elastic foam insert may include an open-celled foam or a reticulated foam, that, when compressed, expels air from open cells within the single compressible elastic foam insert.

The travel pillow (also referred to as a neck pillow) may have the single compressible elastic foam insert as a reticulated foam, that, when compressed, expels air from open cells within the single compressible elastic foam insert. The travel may also be constructed wherein the neck portion has an air through hole with a vertical dimension of the hole being less than 5.5 cm, or less than 5.0 cm.

The travel pillow may also be constructed wherein the first side portion and second side portion each have an air through hole passing from a forward end of the respective first side portion and second side portion to a rearward end of the respective first side portion and second side portion.

The travel pillow may also be constructed wherein each air through hole of the first side portion and second side portion intersects a respective air passage through hole passing through the first side portion and the second side portion so that air may connectedly flow in two orthogonal directions through the travel pillow.

The travel pillow may also be constructed wherein each air through hole of the first side portion and second side portion does not intersect a respective air passage through hole passing through the first side portion and the second side portion so that air may separately flow in two orthogonal directions through the travel pillow. first raised top surface, said first raised top surface comprising a first raised outer edge and a first raised inner edge that are the same height; a second side portion comprising a second base side portion and a second raised side portion, an inner surface of said second side portion facing an inner surface of said first side portion, said second raised side portion comprising a second raised top surface, said second raised top surface comprising a second raised outer edge and a second raised inner edge that are the same height; a rear portion between said first and second side portions, said rear portion comprising a base rear portion and a raised rear portion, said raised rear portion considerably thinner than each of said first raised side portion and said second raised side portion; and a cover over said first side portion, said second side portion, and said rear portion; wherein said first side portion and said second side portion extend substantially horizontally from said rear portion; wherein said base rear portion comprises a base rear inner wall and a base rear outer wall; wherein said raised rear portion comprises a raised rear inner wall and a raised rear outer wall, said raised rear inner wall and said raised rear outer wall being the same height, said raised rear outer wall continuous with said base rear outer wall; wherein the combination of said base rear outer wall and said raised rear outer wall comprises a substantially planar and substantially vertical surface that is substantially flat from left to right; wherein a memory foam material forms the core of each of said first side portion, said second side portion, and said rear portion; and wherein said travel pillow is configured to be supported primarily by a user's shoulders on a bottom side of each of said first side portion and said second side portion.

Consideration of the Figures will assist in a better appreciation of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a demonstrative neck pillow 10 evidencing various possible embodiments of the present invention. The neck pillow 10 is shown with a vertical axis A and a horizontal axis B. The pillow 10 is shown with a single (single molded, single fused, single adhered) foam element 18 with a inner surface 12, a back of the neck section 31 and an outside portion 17. A front-to-back air passage hole 30 is shown. There are numerous ways in which the pillow 10 can be constructed. In one manner, the air passage hole 30 has no other connections, and air passing through the single air passages 30 on both left and right sides of the pillow 10. The top 19 and bottom 26 of the neck pillow 10 are shown. In one embodiment, in addition to or in replacement of the 30, there my be one or more outside 17 to inner surface 12 air passage holes 20 a. The front-to-back air passage 30 is shown passing over, without passageway intersection, the outside-to-inside air passage 20 a.

In an alternative construction evidenced in FIG. 1 is a construction where the front-to-back air passage 30 is shown passing into, but not through, with passageway intersection, the outside-to-internal air passage 22 a in this way one or more of these outside-to-internal air passages 22 a transport air away from the front-to-back air passage 30 to provide some cooling effect through air flow carrying heat and moisture away from a wearer. Thus all, some or none of the air passages may be interconnected, including the rear (back-of-the-neck) air passage 15. As previously noted, this internal (to a fabric cover) foam neck pillow 10 can be a single molded piece, or multiple individual pieces that are joined together.

FIG. 2 is a frontal view of a demonstrative neck pillow 11 evidencing various possible embodiments of the present invention. The back-of-the-neck air passage 15 is shown. Like numbers in this FIG. 2 represent like elements from FIG. 1. A tapered inward neck support is also shown at the base of the neck support portion 31. An inside foam face 11 is shown opposed to the inner surface 12.

The pillow may have closure elements on the front of the pillow, especially a fabric lock system that may be secured across the front of the pillows, from one arm of the pillow to another, as with Velcro® fasteners, ScotchTight™ fasteners, and newer hook-and-loop fasteners with micro-loops and micro-hooks that have stronger forces of attachments, yet may still be separated by manual forces. Snap elements, or draw-string elements may also be used, but they are less preferred. These fabric fasteners would be stitched or adhesively secured to front ends of the arms with sufficient length to extend away from the arms and cross over space in front of the pillow. The tightness would be adjusted as is typical in with fabric locking systems by tension and reach across the gap in from of the pillow. 

What is claimed:
 1. A substantially U-shaped travel pillow, comprising: a first side portion comprising a first base side portion comprising a first base surface, a first top surface, a first inside surface and an outside surface; a second side portion comprising a second base side portion comprising a second base surface, a second top surface, a second inside surface opposed to the first inside surface and a second outside surface; a neck cushion portion between the first side portion and the second side portion; the first side portion, the second side portion and the neck cushion portion comprising a single compressible elastic foam insert; and at least the first side portion and the second side portion each having at least two air passage through holes passing through the first side portion and the second side portion, the holes having average diameters of less than 5.5 cm, and sides of the holes completely between the respective inside surface and the outside surface of both the first side portion and the second side portion have foam densities substantially identical to foam densities throughout the single compressible elastic foam insert.
 2. The travel pillow of claim 1 having no stiffening elements attached to the single compressible foam that stiffen the foam between the respective inside surface and the outside surface of both the first side portion and the second side portion, or stiffen the foam between the respective top surface and base surface of both the first side portion and the second side portion.
 3. The travel pillow of claim 1 wherein there is an air passage passing through the neck cushion portion.
 4. The travel pillow of claim 1 wherein the single compressible elastic foam insert comprises a reticulated foam, that, when compressed, expels air from open cells within the single compressible elastic foam insert.
 5. The travel pillow of claim 2 wherein the single compressible elastic foam insert comprises a reticulated foam, that, when compressed, expels air from open cells within the single compressible elastic foam insert.
 6. The travel pillow of claim 1 wherein the neck portion has an air through hole with a vertical dimension of the hole being less than 5.5 cm.
 7. The travel pillow of claim 1 wherein the first side portion and second side portion each have an air through hole passing from a forward end of the respective first side portion and second side portion to a rearward end of the respective first side portion and second side portion.
 8. The travel pillow of claim 7 wherein each air through hole of the first side portion and second side portion intersects a respective air passage through hole passing through the first side portion and the second side portion so that air may connectedly flow in two orthogonal directions through the travel pillow.
 9. The travel pillow of claim 7 wherein each air through hole of the first side portion and second side portion does not intersect a respective air passage through hole passing through the first side portion and the second side portion so that air may separately flow in two orthogonal directions through the travel pillow. first raised top surface, said first raised top surface comprising a first raised outer edge and a first raised inner edge that are the same height; a second side portion comprising a second base side portion and a second raised side portion, an inner surface of said second side portion facing an inner surface of said first side portion, said second raised side portion comprising a second raised top surface, said second raised top surface comprising a second raised outer edge and a second raised inner edge that are the same height; a rear portion between said first and second side portions, said rear portion comprising a base rear portion and a raised rear portion, said raised rear portion considerably thinner than each of said first raised side portion and said second raised side portion; and a cover over said first side portion, said second side portion, and said rear portion; wherein said first side portion and said second side portion extend substantially horizontally from said rear portion; wherein said base rear portion comprises a base rear inner wall and a base rear outer wall; wherein said raised rear portion comprises a raised rear inner wall and a raised rear outer wall, said raised rear inner wall and said raised rear outer wall being the same height, said raised rear outer wall continuous with said base rear outer wall; wherein the combination of said base rear outer wall and said raised rear outer wall comprises a substantially planar and substantially vertical surface that is substantially flat from left to right; wherein a memory foam material forms the core of each of said first side portion, said second side portion, and said rear portion; and wherein said travel pillow is configured to be supported primarily by a user's shoulders on a bottom side of each of said first side portion and said second side portion.
 10. The travel pillow of claim 1 wherein the first side portion and the second side portion have a hook-and-loop fabric closure element which can temporarily lock the first side portion and the second side portion about a neck of a user.
 11. The travel pillow of claim 7 wherein the first side portion and the second side portion have a hook-and-loop fabric closure element which can temporarily lock the first side portion and the second side portion about a neck of a user.
 12. The travel pillow of claim 9 wherein the first side portion and the second side portion have a hook-and-loop fabric closure element which can temporarily lock the first side portion and the second side portion about a neck of a user. 